The high sun protection factor sunscreen is expected to be available in the Riverland and Murray Mallee by mid-January.

But the Cancer Council of South Australia warns the new, higher rating sunscreen does not mean the rest of the sun-smart message can be ignored.

New regulations approving a new Standard for SPF50+, SPF testing and labelling in Australia were recently released by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Cancer Council SA sunsmart co-ordinator Joanne Rayner says it is important to remember even SPF 50+ sunscreen will not offer complete protection.

"It does give slightly more protection from UVB rays than an SPF 30+, but only about another 1.3 per cent," Ms Rayner said.

"The new SPF 50+ will filter about 98 per cent of the UVB rays, where as a SPF30+ filters about 96.7 per cent.

"The new standard though, will also see our protection against UVA being increased."

Ms Rayner says the difference is UVB rays cause sunburn, and UVA causes ageing and wrinkling of the skin.

She says the Cancer Council still recommends using a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30.

"There's no need to get rid of your SPF30+ for a SPF50+, but also remember to apply sunscreen liberally, reapply it and use it in conjunction with clothing hats, shade and sunglasses to give yourself maximum protection."

In the 1980s Sid the Seagull sang the "Slip, Slop, Slap" message but over time the message has changed to include 'slide' on sunglasses and 'seek' shade.

"I think now, as new information's come out and we've realised how dangerous ultra-violet radiation is to our skin, we're starting to see a drop in the number of people seeking a tan," Ms Rayner says.

"People want to protect their skin, they know the dangers, they know over-exposure to UV radiation leads to skin cancer and melanoma, which can be life threatening.

"We are already seeing the numbers of non-melanoma skin cancers in younger groups starting to drop just slightly, because they're of a generation that has grown up with the sun-smart message."

The Cancer Council says research has shown that protecting skin, particularly in the first 15 years of life, reduces the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.